Global defensive alliances in star graphs

A defensive alliance in a graph G=(V,E) is a set of vertices S⊆V satisfying the condition that, for each v∈S, at least one half of its closed neighbors are in S. A defensive alliance S is called a critical defensive alliance if any vertex is removed from S, then the resulting vertex set is not a defensive alliance any more. An alliance S is called global if every vertex in V(G)?S is adjacent to at least one member of the alliance S. In this paper, we shall propose a way for finding a critical global defensive alliance of star graphs. After counting the number of vertices in the critical global defensive alliance, we can derive an upper bound to the size of the minimum global defensive alliances in star graphs.     

Factor-critical property in 3-dominating-critical graphs

A vertex subset S of a graph G is a dominating set if every vertex of G either belongs to S or is adjacent to a vertex of S. The cardinality of a smallest dominating set is called the dominating number of G and is denoted by γ(G). A graph G is said to be γ-vertex-critical if γ(G−v)<γ(G), for every vertex v in G.Let G be a 2-connected K_1,5-free 3-vertex-critical graph of odd order. For any vertex v∈V(G), we show that G−v has a perfect matching (except two graphs), which solves a conjecture posed by Ananchuen and Plummer [N. Ananchuen, M.D. Plummer, Matchings in 3-vertex critical graphs: The odd case, Discrete Math., 307 (2007) 1651-1658].     

A note on Roman domination in graphs

Let G=(V,E) be a simple graph. A subset S⊆V is a dominating set of G, if for any vertex u∈V-S, there exists a vertex v∈S such that uv∈E. The domination number of G, γ(G), equals the minimum cardinality of a dominating set. A Roman dominating function on graph G=(V,E) is a function f:V→{0,1,2} satisfying the condition that every vertex v for which f(v)=0 is adjacent to at least one vertex u for which f(u)=2. The weight of a Roman dominating function is the value f(V)=∑_v∈Vf(v). The Roman domination number of a graph G, denoted by γ_R(G), equals the minimum weight of a Roman dominating function on G. In this paper, for any integer k(2?k?γ(G)), we give a characterization of graphs for which γ_R(G)=γ(G)+k, which settles an open problem in [E.J. Cockayne, P.M. Dreyer Jr, S.M. Hedetniemi et al. On Roman domination in graphs, Discrete Math. 278 (2004) 11-22].     

Geodetic and Steiner geodetic sets in 3-Steiner distance hereditary graphs

Let G be a connected graph and S⊆V(G). Then the Steiner distance of S, denoted by d_G(S), is the smallest number of edges in a connected subgraph of G containing S. Such a subgraph is necessarily a tree called a Steiner tree for S. The Steiner interval for a set S of vertices in a graph, denoted by I(S) is the union of all vertices that belong to some Steiner tree for S. If S={u,v}, then I(S) is the interval I[u,v] between u and v. A connected graph G is 3-Steiner distance hereditary (3-SDH) if, for every connected induced subgraph H of order at least 3 and every set S of three vertices of H, d_H(S)=d_G(S). The eccentricity of a vertex v in a connected graph G is defined as e(v)=max{d(v,x)|x∈V(G)}. A vertex v in a graph G is a contour vertex if for every vertex u adjacent with v, e(u)?e(v). The closure of a set S of vertices, denoted by I[S], is defined to be the union of intervals between pairs of vertices of S taken over all pairs of vertices in S. A set of vertices of a graph G is a geodetic set if its closure is the vertex set of G. The smallest cardinality of a geodetic set of G is called the geodetic number of G and is denoted by g(G). A set S of vertices of a connected graph G is a Steiner geodetic set for G if I(S)=V(G). The smallest cardinality of a Steiner geodetic set of G is called the Steiner geodetic number of G and is denoted by sg(G). We show that the contour vertices of 3-SDH and HHD-free graphs are geodetic sets. For 3-SDH graphs we also show that g(G)?sg(G). An efficient algorithm for finding Steiner intervals in 3-SDH graphs is developed.     

The source location problem with local 3-vertex-connectivity requirements

Let G=(V,E) be a simple undirected graph with a set V of vertices and a set E of edges. Each vertex v∈V has an integer valued demand d(v)?0. The source location problem with vertex-connectivity requirements in a given graph G asks to find a set S of vertices with the minimum cardinality such that there are at least d(v) vertex-disjoint paths between S and each vertex v∈V-S. In this paper, we show that the problem with d(v)?3, v∈V can be solved in linear time. Moreover, we show that in the case where d(v)?4 for some vertex v∈V, the problem is NP-hard.     

On graphs with equal domination and 2-domination numbers

Let G be a simple graph, and let p be a positive integer. A subset D⊆V(G) is a p-dominating set of the graph G, if every vertex v∈V(G)-D is adjacent to at least p vertices in D. The p-domination numberγ_p(G) is the minimum cardinality among the p-dominating sets of G. Note that the 1-domination number γ₁(G) is the usual domination numberγ(G). This definition immediately leads to the inequality γ(G)?γ₂(G).In this paper we present some sufficient as well as some necessary conditions for graphs G with the property that γ₂(G)=γ(G). In particular, we characterize all cactus graphs H with γ₂(H)=γ(H).     

Bounds on a graph's security number

Let G=(V,E) be a graph. A set S⊆V is a defensive alliance if |N[x]∩S|?|N[x]-S| for every x∈S. Thus, each vertex of a defensive alliance can, with the aid of its neighbors in S, be defended from attack by its neighbors outside of S. An entire set S is secure if any subset X⊆S, not just singletons, can be defended from an attack from outside of S, under an appropriate definition of what such a defense implies. The security number s(G) of G is the cardinality of a smallest secure set. Bounds on s(G) are presented.     

Steiner intervals and Steiner geodetic numbers in distance-hereditary graphs

A Steiner tree for a set S of vertices in a connected graph G is a connected subgraph of G with a smallest number of edges that contains S. The Steiner interval I(S) of S is the union of all the vertices of G that belong to some Steiner tree for S. If S={u,v}, then I(S)=I[u,v] is called the interval between u and v and consists of all vertices that lie on some shortest u-v path in G. The smallest cardinality of a set S of vertices such that ?_u,v∈SI[u,v]=V(G) is called the geodetic number and is denoted by g(G). The smallest cardinality of a set S of vertices of G such that I(S)=V(G) is called the Steiner geodetic number of G and is denoted by sg(G). We show that for distance-hereditary graphs g(G)?sg(G) but that g(G)/sg(G) can be arbitrarily large if G is not distance hereditary. An efficient algorithm for finding the Steiner interval for a set of vertices in a distance-hereditary graph is described and it is shown how contour vertices can be used in developing an efficient algorithm for finding the Steiner geodetic number of a distance-hereditary graph.     

A Greedy Partition Lemma for directed domination

A directed dominating set in a directed graph D is a set S of vertices of V such that every vertex u∈V(D)?S has an adjacent vertex v in S with v directed to u. The directed domination number of D, denoted by γ(D), is the minimum cardinality of a directed dominating set in D. The directed domination number of a graph G, denoted Γ_d(G), is the maximum directed domination number γ(D) over all orientations D of G. The directed domination number of a complete graph was first studied by Erd?s [P. Erd?s On a problem in graph theory, Math. Gaz. 47 (1963) 220–222], albeit in a disguised form. In this paper we prove a Greedy Partition Lemma for directed domination in oriented graphs. Applying this lemma, we obtain bounds on the directed domination number. In particular, if α denotes the independence number of a graph G, we show that α≤Γ_d(G)≤α(1+2ln(n/α)).     

Matchings in 3-vertex-critical graphs: The odd case

A subset of vertices D of a graph G is a dominating set for G if every vertex of G not in D is adjacent to one in D. The cardinality of any smallest dominating set in G is denoted by γ(G) and called the domination number of G. Graph G is said to be γ-vertex-critical if γ(G-v)<γ(G), for every vertex v in G. A graph G is said to be factor-critical if G-v has a perfect matching for every choice of v∈V(G).In this paper, we present two main results about 3-vertex-critical graphs of odd order. First we show that any such graph with positive minimum degree and at least 11 vertices which has no induced subgraph isomorphic to the bipartite graph K_1,5 must contain a near-perfect matching. Secondly, we show that any such graph with minimum degree at least three which has no induced subgraph isomorphic to the bipartite graph K_1,4 must be factor-critical. We then show that these results are best possible in several senses and close with a conjecture.     

Domination subdivision numbers of trees

A set S of vertices of a graph G=(V,E) is a dominating set if every vertex of V(G)?S is adjacent to some vertex in S. The domination number γ(G) is the minimum cardinality of a dominating set of G. The domination subdivision number  is the minimum number of edges that must be subdivided in order to increase the domination number. Velammal showed that for any tree T of order at least 3, . In this paper, we give two characterizations of trees whose domination subdivision number is 3 and a linear algorithm for recognizing them.     

On equality in an upper bound for the restrained and total domination numbers of a graph

Let G=(V,E) be a graph. A set S⊆V is a restrained dominating set (RDS) if every vertex not in S is adjacent to a vertex in S and to a vertex in V?S. The restrained domination number of G, denoted by γ_r(G), is the minimum cardinality of an RDS of G. A set S⊆V is a total dominating set (TDS) if every vertex in V is adjacent to a vertex in S. The total domination number of a graph G without isolated vertices, denoted by γ_t(G), is the minimum cardinality of a TDS of G.Let δ and Δ denote the minimum and maximum degrees, respectively, in G. If G is a graph of order n with δ?2, then it is shown that γ_r(G)?n-Δ, and we characterize the connected graphs with δ?2 achieving this bound that have no 3-cycle as well as those connected graphs with δ?2 that have neither a 3-cycle nor a 5-cycle. Cockayne et al. [Total domination in graphs, Networks 10 (1980) 211-219] showed that if G is a connected graph of order n?3 and Δ?n-2, then γ_t(G)?n-Δ. We further characterize the connected graphs G of order n?3 with Δ?n-2 that have no 3-cycle and achieve γ_t(G)=n-Δ.     

Roman and Total Domination

Abstract

A set S of vertices is a total dominating set of a graph G if every vertex of G is adjacent to some vertex in S. The minimum cardinality of a total dominating set is the total domination number ^γt(G). A Roman dominating function on a graph G is a function f : V (G) → {0, 1, 2} satisfying the condition that every vertex u with f (u)=0 is adjacent to at least one vertex v of G for which f (v)=2. The minimum of f (V (G))=∑_{u ∈ V (G)} f (u) over all such functions is called the Roman domination number γR (G). We show that γt(G) ≤ γR (G) with equality if and only if ^γt(G)=2γ(G), where γ(G) is the domination number of G. Moreover, we characterize the extremal graphs for some graph families.     

The Connected Monophonic Number of a Graph

For a connected graph G = (V, E) of order at least two, a chord of a path P is an edge joining two non-adjacent vertices of P. A path P is called a monophonic path if it is a chordless path. A set S of vertices of G is a monophonic set of G if each vertex v of G lies on an x ? y monophonic path for some elements x and y in S. The minimum cardinality of a monophonic set of G is defined as the monophonic number of G, denoted by m(G). A connected monophonic set of G is a monophonic set S such that the subgraph G[S] induced by S is connected. The minimum cardinality of a connected monophonic set of G is the connected monophonic number of G and is denoted by m _c (G). We determine bounds for it and characterize graphs which realize these bounds. For any two vertices u and v in G, the monophonic distance d _m (u, v) from u to v is defined as the length of a longest u ? v monophonic path in G. The monophonic eccentricity e _m (v) of a vertex v in G is the maximum monophonic distance from v to a vertex of G. The monophonic radius rad _m G of G is the minimum monophonic eccentricity among the vertices of G, while the monophonic diameter diam _m G of G is the maximum monophonic eccentricity among the vertices of G. It is shown that for positive integers r, d and n ≥ 5 with r <  d, there exists a connected graph G with rad _m G =  r, diam _m G =  d and m _c (G) =  n. Also, if a,b and p are positive integers such that 2 ≤  a <  b ≤  p, then there exists a connected graph G of order p, m(G) =  a and m _c (G) =  b.     

Domination critical graphs

A set of vertices S is said to dominate the graph G if for each v ? S, there is a vertex u ∈ S with u adjacent to v. The smallest cardinality of any such dominating set is called the domination number of G and is denoted by γ(G). The purpose of this paper is to initiate an investigation of those graphs which are critical in the following sense: For each v, u ∈ V(G) with v not adjacent to u, γ(G + vu) < γ(G). Thus G is k-y-critical if γ(G) = k and for each edge e ? E(G), γ(G + e) = k ?1. The 2-domination critical graphs are characterized the properties of the k-critical graphs with k ≥ 3 are studied. In particular, the connected 3-critical graphs of even order are shown to have a 1-factor and some stringent restrictions on their degree sequences and diameters are obtained.     

Domination with exponential decay

Let G be a graph and S⊆V(G). For each vertex u∈S and for each v∈V(G)−S, we define to be the length of a shortest path in 〈V(G)−(S−{u})〉 if such a path exists, and ∞ otherwise. Let v∈V(G). We define if v⁄∈S, and w_S(v)=2 if v∈S. If, for each v∈V(G), we have w_S(v)≥1, then S is an exponential dominating set. The smallest cardinality of an exponential dominating set is the exponential domination number, γ_e(G). In this paper, we prove: (i) that if G is a connected graph of diameter d, then γ_e(G)≥(d+2)/4, and, (ii) that if G is a connected graph of order n, then .     

A New Bound on the Total Domination Subdivision Number

A set S of vertices of a graph G = (V, E) without isolated vertex is a total dominating set if every vertex of V(G) is adjacent to some vertex in S. The total domination number γ _t (G) is the minimum cardinality of a total dominating set of G. The total domination subdivision number is the minimum number of edges that must be subdivided (each edge in G can be subdivided at most once) in order to increase the total domination number. In this paper we prove that for every simple connected graph G of order n ≥ 3,

A note on the weakly convex and convex domination numbers of a torus

The distanced_G(u,v) between two vertices u and v in a connected graph G is the length of the shortest (u,v) path in G. A (u,v) path of length d_G(u,v) is called a (u,v)-geodesic. A set X⊆V is called weakly convex in G if for every two vertices a,b∈X, exists an (a,b)-geodesic, all of whose vertices belong to X. A set X is convex in G if for all a,b∈X all vertices from every (a,b)-geodesic belong to X. The weakly convex domination number of a graph G is the minimum cardinality of a weakly convex dominating set of G, while the convex domination number of a graph G is the minimum cardinality of a convex dominating set of G. In this paper we consider weakly convex and convex domination numbers of tori.     

On geodetic sets formed by boundary vertices

Let G be a finite simple connected graph. A vertex v is a boundary vertex of G if there exists a vertex u such that no neighbor of v is further away from u than v. We obtain a number of properties involving different types of boundary vertices: peripheral, contour and eccentric vertices. Before showing that one of the main results in [G. Chartrand, D. Erwin, G.L. Johns, P. Zhang, Boundary vertices in graphs, Discrete Math. 263 (2003) 25-34] does not hold for one of the cases, we establish a realization theorem that not only corrects the mentioned wrong statement but also improves it.Given S⊆V(G), its geodetic closure I[S] is the set of all vertices lying on some shortest path joining two vertices of S. We prove that the boundary vertex set ∂(G) of any graph G is geodetic, that is, I[∂(G)]=V(G). A vertex v belongs to the contour Ct(G) of G if no neighbor of v has an eccentricity greater than v. We present some sufficient conditions to guarantee the geodeticity of either the contour Ct(G) or its geodetic closure I[Ct(G)].